AEW has taken huge steps to increase wrestler safety by banning several spots/moves that will also benefit those in attendance watching the show.
Very much a high-risk promotion, AEW’s performers have always aimed to push the boundaries but it appears that the company is insisting on telling their stars to drop the pace just a little bit by removing moves that cause significant damage.
With a number of high flying and hardcore veterans on their roster, AEW, in its pursuit to boost its audience, has never been afraid to go all in on gimmicks that are far removed from a traditional wrestling match.
Tables, ladders, chairs, barbed wire, and even exploding footwear have featured on AEW shows and although they’ll still be shown when required, certain aspects of their usage will be toned down.
Fightful were first to break the story and here’s the full list of what won’t be seen in AEW moving forward.
- Unprotected chair shots to the head
- Shots to the back of the head
- Buckle Bombs
- Blind moves backwards into turnbuckle
- Seizure sells
- Spitting
- Bleeding in the crowd
- Weapons or projectiles in the crowd
- Taking food or drink from crowd members
- Physical contact with crowd members